The Winter Solstice may be tomorrow, but I think Winter is already here. #stillwater #river #snow #ice
Tag: snow
March Madness
And by March Madness I don’t mean basketball… Instead, I mean our mad weather. Our county (and many others around us) is under a Winter Storm Warning starting tonight at 10pm and lasting until Monday morning. They’re currently predicting 5-7″ of snow for the storm (which is an improvement upon earlier predictions of 8+”). However, we’re in that odd transitional time between Winter and Spring when models have a hell of a time making good predictions as it is (and then compound them with the climate change we’ve been unleashing on our planet and I’m just shocked that they get anything remotely correct!) so I’m not holding my breath yet for (yet ANOTHER) day off on Monday.
So far we’ve missed 9 days this year. I’m rather pleased that I had gotten my chemistry classes a week ahead of last year’s because that extra time has helped me be only about a week behind after all of this weather. (I’m more worried about chemistry than physics because of the college curriculum and their college-supplied final exam.) In physics I’ve dumped a couple of projects/labs to keep close to my usual timeline. And Advanced Problems is always an evolving course as it is. (I’ve added in some forensics lessons this year and removed a couple of other projects because of that.)
I am one of the few people I know who isn’t actually sick and tired of snow. This next storm might finally put me over the edge (though I doubt it – unless the power goes out or something). However, I really miss taking long walks and riding my bike on the bike paths. So yeah, I’ll be just fine with winter making its departure felt. My weight-loss regimen has been affected by the weather too. Less exercise, more snacking because I’m at home instead of at work… I’ve yet to get as low as I was before Thanksgiving. (I was soooo close to being under 200lb back then too. Now I’m just happy to stay under 210.)
So Winter, I know you’re around for another 20 days or so, but I’m OK with you leaving early so that I can get some walks and rides in soon! But if you do decide to dump 5-7″ on us tomorrow, please leave the electricity alone, OK? 😉
The March 2013 Snowmaggedon!
As a kid, I thought Snow Days were the best. First, they were usually caused by snow, which I love. Next, that meant we didn’t have to go to school. Now, I loved going to school, but snow days were still wonderful. After all, you could do ANYTHING (well, nearly) you wanted – you didn’t have any prior plans other than school.
Well, as a teacher, I’m still the same. As much as I love going to school (or work, in this case), I still love Snow Days. (Now they’re called “Calamity Days” because fog, ice, and boiler issues have all caused school closures in addition to snow.) Today, thanks to 6+” being dumped upon us overnight, we had one. Whee!
Before the snow arrived last night (around 7pm), it had been raining and then icing. Which meant that there was stuff for the snow to stick to. And all of the trees (and, more frighteningly, the power lines) were laden with snow. Very pretty to look at. So today, before lunch, I took a walk through town (first shoveling my front walk, and finishing my outing by shoveling my back walk) and took pictures of the prettiest snow laden trees, etc.
This is a house near the school. In summer it is surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants. Today, it was the Snow Queen of the village.
Here is a second shot of the same area. You might be able to see the school behind it.
On the main street in town, I espied this little nook of snow-laden goodness. Sadly, I couldn’t find Mr Tumnus.
And December Begins!
Today was our first half-decent snowfall of the season. Yay! This evening we were without power for about half an hour. Boo! But I spent the time reading on my cellphone, so that was OK. Yay!
Been busy of late, so I’ll do a quicky summary.
- Had the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off. Got some stuff done in the house, such as installing my blinds, which had been sitting around for ages. (Need to get more for the other winders.)
- Thanksgiving was very nice. Made Thanksgiving cheeseball (which I also took to the staff carry-in the previous Tuesday) and sweet potato souffle. I also prepared two Market Day pies – Apple and a chocolate pecan cream pie that was quite a hit.
- We held the Short gathering for Thanksgiving at the Clubhouse at mom & dad’s community. Most of the family was able to attend – yay!
- Didn’t rush off to stores on Black Friday, just hung out all day with the parental units. I did some actual Christmas shopping after I got home that night and hung out at Amazon.com, Edmund Scientific, and other stores.
- The weekend was a nice relaxing one with some exterior Christmas decorating (which has since fallen down – guess I didn’t have the right sized Command strips…)
Keeping busy and avoiding productivity at home of late by playing World of Warcraft (and I’ve already pre-ordered Cataclysm!) Hopefully I will start productivity up again soon!
Calamity Day #3
I imagine that our superintendent really didn’t want to have to call off school today. We need to get out the first week of May so that they can tear our old building down to make the parking lot for the new one. Making up calamity days will not help this. Still, student safety is his first concern, so he makes the decisions with that at the forefront.
So, today we had our third day off due to bad weather (or gas transfer, as happened on MLK Jr Day). And we’re under another Winter Storm Warning beginning late tonight until Wednesday. I’m sure he’s hoping to at least get us into the building tomorrow, even if he has to later release us early. It’ll all depend on when the storm hits and if it’s actually what they’re promising.
The time off has been good for me in terms of my Master’s Thesis. I’m now down to my last book to read and evaluate. I should be reading it right now, but I decided instead to type this up. Yay for procrastination.
I was just thinking how nice it would have been to have played WoW or CoH all day today, but, alas, not until I’ve finished this paper. Maybe we’ll get a few snow days next year and I can faff about playing video games. 🙂
Oh, I took some photos after the storm, which I may post later this week. Perhaps with photos of the results of the next one. (OK, so I still like the stuff – even after shoveling a bit of it today. In March I may be less inclined to like it.)
Snownami 2010!
I must admit, I’ve been a bit jealous of everyone else getting snow this season. But today we’re getting all of our winter snow at once! I liked how gregmce described it – a snownami. (I wanted to post to the school website today that school had an early dismissal due to the snowpocalypse, but decided to use “inclement weather” instead.)
They’re forecasting 8-12 inches here. I understand some folks in this storm will be getting at least twice this much. I’m glad that I don’t have to drive anywhere (and the walk home was rather pleasant) and as long as the electricity stays on, I’ll likely have a very nice weekend. My heart goes out to people for whom this winter has not been so merciful.
Anyhoo, if you’re not completely sick of snow photos yet, feel free to peek under my LJ cut for the images. As a reward, you will also get to see Lucy, who was NOT amused.
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A view of the snow from my kitchen. |
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A view from my porch. |
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The snow is doing a great job coating the trees. |
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I stretched myself out a bit to get this shot (but still staying out of the stray snow on the porch). |
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Lucy either wasn’t fond of the snow or of me taking photos of something other than her. |
Snow – finally!
Although we’ve had some ice storms so far this winter, our snow has been relatively little. But today, we’re finally getting some of the white stuff. Although we had 2 hour delays yesterday and Monday, today school started on time. It was very cold, but the roads and sidewalks were pretty clear. It wasn’t snowing yet, either. Apparently already tired of the teachers and students asking if we were getting out early, the superintendent had made a sign and stuck it on his chest saying “2:36” and pointed to it when people would get ready to ask a question. (That’s the regular dismissal time for school.) He popped into my room and asked if anyone had any questions. And if so, the answer was… and he’d point to his sign. Heh. Poor guy.
Within an hour of school starting, however, the snow had begun. And continued. And every time administrators went by my classroom (which is right next to the superintendent’s office, so this happened often in a regular day) the kids would mutter and get all excited. When physics class started (my 4th period class) one of the girls assured us that we were getting out at 11:30am. Sure enough, a few minutes into 4th period, the principal got on the announcements and told us the same thing. Wow – never got out that early for an early dismissal. They canceled lunch as well.
Before 11:30 came, they dismissed the high school students who drive to school to let them get out of the parking lot before the buses and walkers headed out. Then at 11:28 the bell rang and students headed out. Once all of the kids were out, I walked home and enjoyed the lovely view. The kitties were nonplussed about my early arrival. And they’ve been loving the snow, especially if the birds get to flying about in the trees.
The snow is still falling and it’s pretty to look at. And I’m glad I don’t have to go anywhere. I wouldn’t want to have to drive in this. (Alas, mother works tomorrow. But of course there’d be subzero temps and lots of snow – I think the weather keeps trying to remind her that she’s retired.)
Little Trina Two Topic
Sheesh, this week I seemed to have only talked about two things – my new phone/PDA/whatsit and the weather. This post is no exception.
The Aftermath
The day after Faux-Blizzard ’08 and things are looking pretty good. Before you become all impressed with my L33T shoveling skills, I’ll own up to the fact that someone came by my door this morning wanting to know if I wanted my walk & driveway ploughed. Hell yeah! And I had them do the parental units’ walk as well.
When I finally did get out this afternoon, the sun had done a great job on getting the snow in hand. I took some photos with both my camera and the phone for comparison purposes. The one thing I notice with the phone is that the sky had a lot more noise in it than my regular photos. (They both take 3 megapixel photos, interestingly enough.) When you shrink the photos down for e-mailing and/or LJ posting, however, the noise isn’t noticeable. (The above photo is a phone photo.)
The official measurement out of Dayton International Airport was 13.2″ of snow. This came in second to the storm of ’04 when we got over 16″. #3 was an actual blizzard – ’78 with its 12.9″. Here’s hoping we’re done with the big storms this season. (Here’s really hoping that the forecast of 40+°F for Friday holds true – don’t wanna drive to Cincinnati in snow or ice.)
Blizzard 2008
OK, it probably wasn’t an actual blizzard, but it was missing a good chance. At any rate, the snow didn’t stop til after 4pm and we got between 10-12 inches here. I haven’t been out yet to experience it myself – maybe tomorrow.
I spent most of the day playing with my new toy – downloading games for it. Took me awhile to decide if I wanted Bejeweled or Bejeweled 2, but I finally decided on 2. 🙂 Also installed, euchre, free cell, sudoku, mah jongg, sokoban, tetris, and Galaga. Most were free, so yay. Still need to put some songs on as potential ringtones.
I’m currently rewatching Porco Rosso (I watched it in Japanese first and when the ending arrived, I was like WTF??? So I’m rewatching with the English soundtrack thinking maybe it’ll make more sense. Heh.)
Tomorrow’s plans are to do laundry, clean house (heh, we’ll see) and maybe grade papers. Perhaps I’ll shovel. Should be a good day regardless. 🙂
Snow Pix
Yesterday, during our bootiful floofy snow, I took some photos. I sent a few along to mom & dad out in California and they enjoyed showing them to their friends. Heh. But one of my favorite shots is of the snow collected on some of the neighbor’s trees. Plus a shot which makes the snow look like the fake snow you can buy at Christmas time.
Fluffy trees (especially in the back)! Happy little trees! Plenty of Magic White used here! (A joke for you Bob Ross fans.)
See, it was fake snow all along!
Tonight was Parent/Teacher conferences and, as usual, I had no conferences. After getting a lot of paperwork done (mostly professional development committee stuff) I spent much of the night talking with coworkers. One of the secretaries was also nice enough to drive me home since it had begun snowing (again). Who knows, if the wintry mix shows up like they’re predicting, we may have another day off tomorrow. Considering they’ve been wrong so much this season, I’m not betting on it. 🙂